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If you are thinking about your honeymoon, considering your options, and making plans, this is Part 2. If you want a bit more and missed our last blog: check out Part 1. 'Sans-Social-Media' HoneymoonsAmericans spend an average of 2.5 hours on social media each day, day after day. We love it, we hate it, we connect with our friends and occasionally our better selves, we find it annoying one minute and exhilarating the next. We also know that know we need a break from it. Newlyweds are deciding to take a break engaging in social media while on their honeymoons. Why post when you're focused on each other and connecting? Couples either remove the app from their phones or they show some self-discipline and simply don't log in. Others choose to post a few images at the end of each day. "Mega-moons," Splurge Moon, & YOLOIt's actually true... you only live once. To that end, if you can spend money, spend with no regrets and plan well. Get the great hotel in the cool part of town or near the sites, book the exclusive reservation at that restaurant, stay an extra week, book first class seats on the plane, do the safari in Kenya instead of something an hour away by car. In other words: shoot for the moon. Create the honeymoon experience that you will talk about for a lifetime. Gourmet HoneymoonsWe are a nation of foodies. You cannot have the diversity of immigrants with recipes in the US, and around 20 million dollars in cookbook sales each year, and deny it. We love to cook and explore and we love to eat. Gourmet honeymoon options are as numerous as they are diverse. Go to Fairbanks, Alaska for the natural beauty and for restaurants serving uniquely-prepared fresh fish dishes. Louisville, Kentucky is perfect for foodies who love a Kentucky Hot Brown with some bourbon on the side. Napa Valley is, well ... Napa Valley. Superb vineyards mean that restaurants have sprung up around them serving organically grown California fruits, vegetables, proteins and flavors. New York City has plenty of distractions, but it is also a mecca for the gourmet. Go to Italy and learn how to make pizza or pasta, understand when figs are ripe, and which olive oil you should use for cooking and which for finishing. Food is where it's at. Celebrate your marriage and walk off the pounds site seeing.
Whatever you choose, set a budget, talk through it, get excited and do what suits you both best!
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Back in the day, newlyweds went to Niagara Falls for their perfect honeymoon. It managed to be romantic, with lots of natural beauty, had some small town attractions, and yet provided privacy. And it's still a great option for love birds. Or couples said "I Do" and retreated to a cabin, sunned on a beach, or toured some part of Europe to have a mini-adventure. These are the classic honeymoon plans. Things change and they stay very much the same. We are still all in love with romance, with art, with waterfalls, with privacy, and escape in general. Romance while making memories is still key, so if you're planning your wedding and considering your options, consider these trends for 2023 and 2024. Find Your DestinationDestination possibilities are endless if you want to travel abroad. Depending on your goals you can see and/or do NOTHING to your hearts' content. Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard, New Orleans or Miami beach, Aruba, Saint Lucia, the Bahamas, Costa Rica and parts of Central Coast California - are all places where couples are flocking for sun and surf. Interested in something more gothic and romantic: Try Scotland, the Isle of Skye, London, Dublin or the Lake District in England. There is enough natural beauty, history and great culture to absorb, while still feeling like you're the only two people in the world. Responsible HoneymooningFor honeymooners who deeply care about where- and how- they travel, this trend will resonate strike a chord. If your environmental footprint matters, you may want to consider how and where you travel, what kind of impact you make and what resources you use. Traveling responsibly may look like protecting wildlife, preserving culture and heritage, and respecting locals while you're "getting away." Or it may mean camping, driving instead of flying, choosing an AirBnB where resources aren't "one use," etc. Mini-MoonsMiniMoons is another new trend, and it makes sense for new couples. Take a small trip now, and then bigger trip down the road. After the I Dos, run away for a long weekend. Then plan a series of getaways as a couple to destinations (waterfalls, concerts, rollercoasters, national parks, iconic spots) in thoughtful order - when you can - to make the honeymoon last. "New Moons"This is a wonderful option for those who may have missed their post-wedding vacay during the pandemic or for any other reason. Maybe now you are parents. It's happened, ladies!!! And many of these same couples have missed their friends. This new type of getaway has emerged and it includes a traveling party with kids, friends, family and a devil-may-care attitude. Visit the PastAccording to The Knot, "Standing before archaeological wonders and marveling at the preservation of ancient history are trending bucket list items among 2023 honeymooners. Eager history buffs have singled out honeymoons with a focus on Cleopatra's Egypt or the trade-heavy pathways of the Silk Road. This includes seeking out trips that focus on the birthplace of civilization or other historical events that have changed the ways of mankind. From hiring local experts with a deep knowledge of local history to cultural landmarks that paint a deeper tale, the return to antiquities will be seen throughout 2023." Volunteer HoneymoonsVolunteer honeymoons allow the newlyweds to travel the world while giving back to those in need. Such unique honeymoon trends aim at making a difference while creating lifelong memories along the way. Recommended volunteer honeymoon ideas: Organic farming, build shelter for the homeless, help endangered animals, and preserve hiking trails.
Bridal Traditions is proud to be part of the Wilkes County Wedding Vendors non-profit organization, and if you don't know about us, please take a minute to check out the site, the events and offerings - like the Content Day coming up in August - and new blog. This talented group is growing together and supporting each other, and with that in mind, our BT team thought we might use our own blog to showcase and elevate our fellow wedding vendors in Wilkes County. We're making this a series, you guys, so look for more in the weeks and months ahead. Stationery & SignageWCWV currently has two members in the stationery and signage category and they are both fabulous. Morgan Harris Design is a full service art and graphic design business specializing in wedding stationery design. Morgan's work is sublime. It's artistic, it's specialized, and it's memorable. She can create semi-custom or custom designed wedding invitations, and she will even create a wedding crest for you and your intended. These are frameable and gorgeous. Morgan's work has been featured in Southern Bride, High Country Wedding Guide, and Heart of NC Weddings. We encourage you to take a stroll through her portfolio. When it comes to signage - of all types - Precision Printing has what you want. They do it all. Not only do they have graphic design services, but they handle printing signs, creating rubber stamps, cards, programs and much more. Precision Printing is environmentally conscious, has a strong customer service focus and they go the extra mile. These wonderful people have been in business for 40 years and can even handle the mailing. Check out their work, because there are too many options these talented people can create to mention in a single blog. Hair StylistsCurrently, the WCWV team has a single stylist in our ranks, and she's wonderful. Meet Kaylee Davis. Kaylee is a stylist at Healing Waters Salon Therapy, and her goal is to make sure that each and every bride sees her reflection, loves her hair, and has the best day possible. Consider Kaylee your absolute teammate. She is in tune with her brides and committed to perfection. See more of her work at @styledby.kaylee. Interested in WCWV?If you want to learn more, visit the site and find out how to join.
If you haven't been to Bridal Traditions in a while, we have some new opportunities for brides-to-be. We call these our Bridal Experiences and there are several categories, depending on your wishes and needs. We have a little something for everyone, no matter which stage of the process, your style or your timeline. Check out the details below and then make an appointment. We live to help brides find the right gown and have the best experience doing so. **NEW** BRIDAL SUITEThis luxurious fitting room boasts seating for up to 7 of your nearest and dearest, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of our other fitting rooms. Your guests will love the more comfortable seating, and we also provide complimentary sparkling juice and snacks to ensure your visit is as enjoyable as possible. And, who doesn't love more time to shop for the perfect bridal gown? When you book the Bridal Suite, you get an extra 30 minutes to say "yes" to the dress of your dreams! If you're planning an even bigger bash, check out our exclusive after-hours appointment, perfect for up to 10 guests! Seating Breakdown: (how we come up with seating for 7 in the bridal suite)
Classic ExperienceOur “Classic Experience” is completely free of charge and while we know that not every bride will discover her perfect dress at our store, it is reserved for those who are genuinely interested in finding the one. Therefore, we ask that you come prepared to find your dream dress. If your wedding is still far away or you're just exploring options, we're excited to help you too! Check out our "Find My Style" experience to get started. Here are a few tips to ensure a smooth bridal fitting adventure with us:
Find my StyleYou've got a shiny ring on your finger, your wedding is ages away, and you're itching to try on some dresses. But hold on, you're not ready to commit to a dress and want to explore all your options, even online (which we don't recommend!). Don't fret, we've got a special treat! For a tiny $49 fee, we'll give you the full dress-up treatment, and to sweeten the deal, we'll credit the full fee back if you snag your dream dress with us within a year. Plus, we'll give you your measurements so you can keep them handy. Can't beat that!
Private Bridal AppointmentEnjoy a VIP Experience While Shopping for Your Wedding Dress! This exclusive appointment is designed solely for the bride and her squad, with room for up to 10 guests. It's time to get the party started and find your dream dress! Get ready to celebrate in style with this ultimate party package:
Seating Breakdown: (how we come up with seating for 10 in the bridal suite)
Deluxe Private Experience + Celebration PackageEnhance your dress shopping experience by adding our exclusive celebration package to your after-hours appointment. This unique offer not only includes all the elements of our standard after-hours package but will also spoil you with:
Please note:
Questions? We're here. Give us a call or book your appointment online. This adventure should be fun, and we get that. See you soon! Ready For your own experience?Never underestimate the power of the little black dress. It has been iconic for more than 4 decades. Check the hashtag on Instagram. In the wedding business, however, the black wedding gown holds its own power in the modern era, and there is a decided following. Brides who want a themed wedding, a departure from the expected, or to simply break with tradition, are all considering black gowns or dresses with black accents. And they are purchasing them as well. The latest selections at Bridal Traditions are represented below, but we hope you will make an appointment to stop by and see more. FrancineThe Francine is so incredibly elegant. The front and back Vs, the lean straps, fitted body and beautiful skirt/train make this gown a winner for lots of body types. It's a great dress for showcasing jewelry and looks amazing with a veil. EnolaIt's off the shoulder, with a deep V bodice and full, circle skirt. This gown has a long row of buttons down the back and small train as part of the skirt, and it says, "bride with style." We can picture the bride walking in this dress, kicking the front of the skirt as she moves, and looking like something out of a Southern gothic novel. Ladies, don't underestimate the "WOW" of a full skirt. AftonThe Afton harks back to the forest, to the earth, and with a sense of the exotic. Consider it for a boho wedding where flowers and landscape will play minor roles. But, the Afton also remembers Coco Chanel's love of the combination of cream/nude with jet black. This gown says "Paris," and is perfect for the bride who wants to project a mood, appreciates history and nature and wants to take a few steps away from the expected. This gown is elegance personified. We love a dress with range! BriarThe Briar is for the bride who wants the traditional framework of a lovely, lace-covered gown, but in a darker model! The lace overlay for the skirt, the front bodice V, the demure sleeves... all of these recommend this gown to brides who refuse to wear white. GretaVery much like the Briar gown (just above), the Greta has a deep V bodice, but it is simplified. The fabric of the Greta is textured with a roses, and feels lush. It has a full skirt and attractive straps for the bride who wants to go sleeveless. Come try on this gown. You will feel as if you're floating. LolaThe Lola is a frothy, sequined and beaded gown with tones of eggplant and lots of black lace and details. This gown is killer. It says Tim Burton, with all of the frivolity, style and whimsical nods. UrsalaUrsala shines. The beading along the hemline, skirt and bodice make this dress into "A Gown." It's gorgeous in person. With the open back and low key hole detail, slim Hollywood straps and graceful front lace bodice, it's a party dress and a gown to say YES to.
The garter tradition is one that we love at BT and as members of the wedding profession. It is still being incorporated into most reception antics, but we forget that it has an origin story worth revisiting. Over time, a lovely tradition can morph into something entirely different. We want our brides to have knowledge, because we knowledge comes power. The ritual of the garter started during the Dark Ages (900 - 1400 A.D.) and in its early years, it was a way to include the community in the wedding's (often overly-celebratory) post ceremony evening. That's the nice way of saying it. Basically, once a couple said their vows and the reception feast had concluded, wedding guests would escort (read: chase and often carry) the new husband and wife to their bed chambers. At this point, the bride would have some of her clothing torn from her as a sign of good luck and prosperity. It didn't take long for the tradition to turn from ripping at the bride's garments to the bride giving some garment away. And it turns out that that garment was the humble garter. Of course, garters were used practically, if not fashionably, to hold up a woman's stockings - and a man's socks as well. Throwing the garter in later years was a way to keep the guests at the party and let the couple leave on their own. It symbolized a gift to the next community bride, becoming a wife, and hopefully later - a mother. MOdern Garters at WeddingsAt BT, we've seen a decrease in the number of brides who want to wear a garter. Some buy one as a keepsake, but don't toss it. Other brides and grooms have turned the removal and tossing of the garter into something a little less, ahem, dignified. We hope that brides will consider not only buying a garter as part of her attire, but as a keepsake, if not a part of the reception celebrations. Come see us and let us show you our selection at Bridal Traditions.
Our Biggest Sale of the Year with the Lowest Prices of the Year is coming up in about a month, ladies. Grab your most helpful friends and make a plan! From July 15 - 29, 2023, every wedding dress in the store is ON SALE. See the breakdown below for details, so you make the best plan possible with your goals in mind. This sale includes wedding gowns, prom dresses, stuff for moms and more! Wedding Dresses on saleReservations are highly recommended! If the online booking form shows no availability call us at 336-667-5423 to see if we have had a cancellation.
This is the only time of year we discount special orders!! PROM & MOMS
Take an additional 50% off already reduced prices for a savings of up to 90% off! (regular price and/or special order maids/mom/prom dresses are NOT included in the sale) Important DetailsAll Sales are Final. - No Holds or Layaways - No Checks. Some items are CASH ONLY. Some restrictions & exclusions apply, so see store associate for details and visit the National Bridal Sales Event page: www.bridaltraditionsnc.com/nbse.html Fitting rooms fill up fast so ...There are plenty of dos and don'ts to consider when planning your wedding, but it's also fun to think about the trends that are IN this year. Here is just a sampling! Choose a themeStar Wars, Harry Potter, bohemian, garden, modern, something from a novel like The Great Gatsby or even a poem, couples are choosing to set a theme and invite guests to engage and be there for it. Give them suggestions, create excitement and be inclusive. Midday CeremoniesUnlike the more traditional evening ceremony, a midday ceremony allows for more evening activities, like afterparties, games, and even movie viewing with friends and family. Change your clothes, meet out, and plan an evening of informal play AFTER the ceremony and reception. The most formal weddings, those of royalty and heads of state, usually take place mid-morning. Consider noon or 1pm and then let the afternoon and evening take you wherever! Ceiling installationsWhether it's with over-the-top florals, lighting installations, balloon or some combination of elements, raising the roof by creating a unique space on the ceiling is a beautiful way to enclose your guests in your theme. Extravagent CakesCakes continue to be adorned with loads of flowers and multiple tiers. Whether height is your goal or an over-the-top cake topper, incredible wedding cakes are still a statement-maker. Serpentine AislesThese are more trendy than ever, especially at outdoor weddings, where petals, stones, hurricane lanterns or pavers can be placed to represent a journey to each other - not always a straight line. For now, we are going to skip the "what's out" in wedding trends ... but we might revisit later, ladies and gents. For now: YOU DO YOU with your wedding. Make it your own. And, as always we are here to help you with your wedding day look no matter what trends you are or are not following. :)
At Bridal Traditions, we follow wedding trends, of course, but one has cropped up that is frustrating to everyone, most especially brides. Any guesses? It's the epidemic of second-guessing when it comes to purchasing a wedding gown and the need to see every available option on the planet. There are too many options and when brides won't stop looking and shopping in search of the holy grail gown, it complicates the process and the experience. Some brides fall into the trap of going to too many shops. Yes, it is possible and we see it all the time. It's Bridal FOMO! The Wedding Gown Options & PressureOur team at BT has noticed that brides are simply overwhelmed. Yes, you should look and feel amazing and like yourself in your gown, but the gown purchase is being inhibited by too much noise, too much social media input, too many vendors, too many options, too much information... or all of the above. Brides, hear us when we tell you: you don't have to see every gown on the market. Know thyself. Think about your style and what you will feel good wearing. When you feel that you have to try on every gown or follow the advice of friends or influencers, searching for your gown will become a job. Read that again. Shopping for your wedding gown should be a fun experience, not one filled with anxiety. Too much time in too many boutiques will take the fun out of this decision. Most brides end up trying on the same basic style over and over again. There are infinite amount of variations and combinations, but you are trying on the same thing basically again and again. When you see this happening, it's time to say YES and commit. Or! It's time to ask for some guidance from someone on our team. Chewing through TimeWe have found that brides who visit multiple shops and continue to research end up more confused and stressed. They also end up eating up their timeline to prepare for their big day. If you start planning one year from your ceremony and you spend 6 months of it unsure and continuing The Big Gown Search, you are also burning through your order time, delivery, alterations, fittings, etc. Once you've run out of time, you're now limited to what fits you off the rack. The Solution to Gown overwhelmWe tell our brides this all the time: when you've Said Yes to your Dress, STOP SHOPPING. Stop going to boutiques, stop looking at gowns online, stop asking for affirmation from your well-meaning friends and family. Stay excited about your choice, and work on other aspects of your wedding ceremony. Make an appointment to come in and chat with us if you're feeling stressed and overwhelmed. We are here to help!
If you aren't aware of this coalition of wedding vendors in Wilkes County, we hope that you will begin by following us on social media @wilkescountyweddings, and see the list at the bottom of this blog for more. If you want to see more about this styled wedding photo shoot, see our earlier post from this month, and check out the amazing work by the team at Times Treasured Studios @times_treasured_studios below. Bridal Traditions loved providing the attire for this lovely day of envisioning at The Chapman Farmstead. The GownThe Beautiful BrideThe DetailsThe CelebrationVENDOR LIST:
Host: Wilkes County Wedding Vendors @wilkescountyweddings Venue: The Chapman Farmstead @thechapmanfarmstead Lead Photographer: Times Treasured Studios @times_treasured_studios Stationery: Morgan Harris Design @morganharrisdesign Florist: The Pearl and The Petal @thepearlandthepetalevents Hair: Kaylee Davis @styledby.kaylee Attire: Bridal Traditions @bridaltraditions Rings: Michael’s Jewelry @michaelsjewelry_nc Music: Summit Strings @summitstringsquartet @shelby_violincase Makeup: Hope Wyatt @hairxhopewyatt Rentals: A & J Rental Drinks: @stardustcellars Models: @brewer_logan & @katiejlogan227 |
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